To submit comments, to read the documents and for more information, contact Dan Ryan, public affairs specialist at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center, at 400 Fo...

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To submit comments, to read the documents and for more information, contact Dan Ryan, public affairs specialist at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center, at 400 Fort Hill Ave., Canandaigua, NY 14424; by email at Daniel.Ryan@va.gov; or by phone at (585) 393-7209.

CANANDAIGUA — The few veterans who attended a public meeting on plans involving construction, renovation and demolition at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center turned the focus to what they see as the most pressing issue: veterans healthcare.

“The money that is spent on this could be used for doctors, nurses and equipment. How many veterans will have to sacrifice their care for this?” said Korean War veteran Ralph Calabrese of the plan that is estimated to cost some $370 million.

“I am all for helping veterans but not on the backs of other veterans,” added the longtime veterans’ advocate from Canandaigua. “To me, this is a waste of money.”

The project on the VA campus at 400 Fort Hill Ave. would demolish Buildings 33 and 34 to construct a new community living center consisting of 10 one-story detached cottages interconnected by enclosed walkways; remodel existing Building 9 into a new 50-bed domiciliary; construct a new outpatient clinic; and renovate three historic buildings (Buildings 1, 3, and 4), along with other upgrades.

Air Force veteran Debbie Bidwell said before the meeting she had tears in her eyes when she saw the drawings displayed of what the VA would look like.

“It looks like a country club,” said Bidwell, who lives in Penn Yan and relies on VA services. “I find it a disgrace,” she said during the comment period on the plan presented by the design team made up of engineers and architects with the VA and private companies.

“Right now there are veterans waiting for care,” she said. “I think these priorities are really messed up.”

Jim McIndoe, senior associate, senior project manager with Rochester-based SWBR Architects, explained how the design incorporated the historic layout and features of the campus while making it a modern facility that fits guidelines for health, safety and security.

“This will improve the operations of this facility,” he said.

The latest research dictated features deemed best for various health conditions, McIndoe said. The features address everything from lighting to carpet texture, room colors to living spaces, as well as allowing privacy and comfort so residents can live as independently as possible.

“We can’t solve all the problems with the VA but we can improve care here,” said McIndoe.

Others who commented on the plan included Marine Corps veteran Thomas Pridell and his wife, Debbie, who expressed concern the VA building overall was taking priority over greater needs. Now there are waits of one to two months to see a heart doctor, Debbie said. “Are we going to suffer longer?”

“Come and see me if you are unhappy with your care,” Canandaigua VA Director Craig Howard said in response to that and other concerns that Bidwell expressed about care at the Canandaigua VA.

“I am really perplexed here,” added Howard.

Page 2 of 2 - “I am not sure what the discontent is about,” he said. The plan would create a facility like Ferris Hills, he said, referring to Thompson Health’s modern senior-living community in Canandaigua. The VA’s buildings built in the 1930s are not equipped to meet modern standards for healthcare or expectations for comfort, he said.

Veterans also criticized the VA’s lack of publicity about the meeting. Vic Verma, an environmental engineer with the Veterans Affairs Office of Construction & Facilities Management, said the VA posted the required legal notice April 20. Verma said the comment period ends May 19.

“A letter should have gone out to every veteran. We are worth being made aware of this,” said Bidwell. She and others, including Thomas Pridell, pressed for an extension on the 30-day comment period. Verma said the VA is bound to that deadline. To submit comments, to read the documents and for more information, contact Dan Ryan, public affairs specialist at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center, at 400 Fort Hill Ave., Canandaigua, NY 14424; by email at Daniel.Ryan@va.gov; or by phone at (585) 393-7209.